an eclectic feast of food, fiction and folderol

halloween treats!

Yeah, I know. Today is supposed to be about pumpkins. But this is the last day of Apple Month, and some haven’t been eaten. So how about a mixed basket of apple-y treats: a little folklore, a few facts, a poem, a couple of myths? Nibble as you please. And what are those bite marks on your neck?

Irish folklore claims that if an apple is peeled into one continuous ribbon and thrown behind a woman’s shoulder, it will land in the shape of her future husband’s initials.

The world’s largest apple peel was created by Kathy Wafler Madison on October 16, 1976, in Rochester, NY. It was 172 feet, 4 inches long. (She was 16 years old at the time and grew up to be a sales manager for an apple tree nursery.)

Aah, What’s up Doc? Apples contain Vitamin C to boost the immune system, phenols to lower cholesterol, phytonutrients to prevent brain disease, flavinoids to prevent heart disease, is low in calories, and its juice can kill up to 80% of bacteria in the mouth! Apples also target multiple cancers and promote healthier lung function. So munch munch munch, to keep both the doctor and the dentist away!

The crabapple is the only apple native to North America. Apples are grown in all 50 states, but only grown commercially in 36 states. Washington is the no.1 apple producer in the U.S. China is the world’s largest producer.

The term "Big Apple" was coined by touring jazz musicians of the 1930s who used the slang expression "apple" for any town or city. To play NYC is to play the big time.

In the U.S., Denmark, and Sweden, a polished apple is a traditional gift for a teacher. This stemmed from the fact that teachers during the 16th to 18th centuries were poorly paid, so parents would compensate the teacher by providing food. Teachers would often be given baskets of apples from students, since apples were a very common crop.

The apple evolved as a symbol in Christianity, changing from something evil (Adam’s fall from grace in the Old Testament), to something favorable (when Christ holds an apple, he represents the Second Adam, who brings life in the New Testament).

Celtic mythology includes a story about Conle, who receives an apple which feeds him for a year, but also gives him an irresistible desire for fairyland.

In Greek mythology, Atalanta raced all her suitors to avoid marriage. Hippomenes, however, outwitted her by distracting her with three golden apples, ultimately winning the race and her hand. (Watch out, girls.)

According to popular legend, Isaac Newton, upon witnessing an apple fall from its tree, was inspired to conclude that a similar ‘universal law of gravitation’ attracted the moon toward the Earth as well.

Like this:

Related

5 Responses

Apples
Jama,
I have a writing project in progress (my first novel) in which apples play an important role … and so this apple month of yours has been sparking creativity daily. Thanks for sharing!
Loree Burns